Iran calls Saudi Arabia ‘brotherly’ while urging removal of US forces

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has described Saudi Arabia as a “brotherly nation” while reiterating Tehran’s call for the withdrawal of United States forces from the region, amid escalating tensions linked to the ongoing conflict with Washington and its allies.

In a post on X, Araghchi stressed that Iran respects the Kingdom and does not view it as an adversary, despite recent regional hostilities. He maintained that Tehran’s military actions are directed solely at what he termed “enemy aggressors” who, he said, threaten both Arab and Iranian security.

The Iranian foreign minister also pointed to recent military developments, claiming that Iranian forces had successfully targeted key aerial command infrastructure belonging to their opponents, though independent verification of such claims remains limited.

Iranian strike damages key US surveillance aircraft in Saudi Arabia

Earlier, a critical United States military surveillance aircraft was heavily damaged in an Iranian strike on a US airbase in Saudi Arabia, according to images verified by international media, sparking concerns about Washington’s ability to monitor threats in the region.

Photographs geolocated to Prince Sultan Air Base, located southeast of Riyadh, appear to show significant destruction to the rear section of an E-3 Sentry airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft. The images indicate severe structural damage, with debris scattered around the site and the aircraft’s tail visibly compromised.

The strike, which took place on Friday, also resulted in injuries to several US service members stationed at the base, according to officials who spoke on condition of anonymity. At least one aircraft was confirmed to have been affected in the attack, though the full extent of the damage remains unclear.

The E-3 Sentry plays a crucial role in modern warfare, serving as an airborne radar platform that provides early warning, surveillance and command-and-control capabilities. Prior to the attack, multiple such aircraft were deployed at the Saudi base as part of broader US military operations in the Middle East.

Security analysts warn that the loss or damage of such high-value assets could significantly weaken the US military’s situational awareness. Experts say that each compromised surveillance system reduces Washington’s ability to track incoming threats, including missiles and drones, in an already volatile theatre.

Some analysts argue that the attack highlights gaps in US preparedness for a prolonged conflict. They suggest that fixed military installations in the region remain vulnerable to increasingly sophisticated Iranian missile and drone capabilities.

However, others caution against drawing sweeping conclusions, noting that the US has still managed to intercept a large number of incoming threats and continues to operate effectively under difficult conditions.

The incident comes amid an intensifying conflict involving Iran, the United States and its allies, raising fears of further escalation. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has also claimed that Russia may be providing intelligence support to Iran, potentially aiding in targeting US assets, an assertion that has yet to be independently verified.

While the US military has not officially commented in detail, the attack underscores the growing risks facing American forces in the region and the challenges of maintaining operational superiority in an evolving conflict.